Who Needs 5 Star Players

Wednesday is national signing day across America.  The day high school seniors commit to what college they will play for.  UC is holding a press conference later today to discuss the class Brian Kelly and his staff are bringing in.  Before that ESPNU will be devoting hours of analysis talking about all of the 5 star players and rating the recruiting classes.   Tuesday evening in a signing day preview show even recruiting expert Tom Luginbill admits that ratings for high school kids don't mean a thing.

It's not so much the players, it's what the coaches get out of the players.  Brian Kelly said that last year and will probably say it again today.  The class that is sending 6 seniors to the NFL combine later this month was looked upon as the worst in the Big East 4 years ago, according to the experts and the rating system.  That last place class helped this football program finish first in the Big East this past season.  Bearcat Sports page.com will have complete coverage of the press conference later this evening.

Jason Maxiell is still Jason Maxiell

Monday afternoon the Bearcats took a look at some of the game film from last years team. Deonta Vaughn noticed that this years squad does not play with the same passion. Over the weekend the NBA had a game between the Pistons and Celtics on ABC. Did you get a chance to see any of the game? If you did then you saw vintage Jason Maxiell. In the 4th quarter he played like he did when he was wearing the red and black!

The Pistons did not win the game, but Jason Maxiell certainly gave them a boost of energy off of the bench when he was in the game during the 4th quarter. Bearcat Sports Page.com would like to thank ABC, ESPN and WCPO TV for the use of that video. As the NBA season continues we will try to keep you better informed on how your NBA Bearcats are doing. Maybe Coach Cronin should show his team video of Jason Maxiell. That is how you get to the NBA, playing with heart and energy during your days in college.

Where's Tanya Harding When You Need Her?

Wednesday night Notre Dame pays a visit to US Bank Arena downtown to take on UC. Surprisingly the Irish come in riding a 5 games loosing streak. The last three being to top ten teams, Pitt, UConn and Marquette. Coach Cronin talks about Notre Dame and how tough they are, especially with the position they are in conference wise.

The Irish score a bunch of points and slowing them down means slowing down All American candidate Luke Harangody. Last year UC held him to 1 point in the first half, but they he exploded for 24 in the second half. If the snow can't slow him down, Coach Cronin has come up with "plan B".

This is a home game for UC. Coach Cronin said that part of the negotiations were that UC students would be on the floor in the bleachers behind each basket. During the "Cronin Era" the Bearcats are 3-0 at US Bank Arena, including a victory earlier this season against Mississippi State. Wednesdays game against Notre Dame is not on local cable. ESPN 360 is the only way to see the game. Tickets are still available. Tip Time: 7:30 at US Bank Arena downtown.

Mick Responds To Big Story On Campus

The news of Nancy Zimpher's possible departure was all over campus Tuesday. Mick Cronin responded to the news that the President may me leaving. However, he admitted that he was not completely up on the news, remember this is a guy that had no idea who was playing in the Super Bowl Sunday because he is 100% Big East Basketball.

The news of her departure at this point is nothing more than speculation.

Young Team, Making Progress and Playing With Passion

In their last 6 conference games the Bearcats are 4 and two with a couple of road wins.  This is not an easy conference for a teams "mentality".   That was one of the topics covered Tuesday afternoon before practice.   Games are going to be won, but games are also going to be lost.  With such a young team it's important for them to remain "even keel" and not get too high or too low.

Last year this team was in the second year of the reconstruction process, looking back how far has this program come?

Monday afternoon the team looked back at some film from the team last year.  One thing Deonta Vaughn noticed is that last years team played with tremendous passion.  Passion this years team is having trouble matching.

Wednesday morning we will post some of the comments made today about the game against the Fighting Irish at US Bank Arena.

Wednesday: "Potential Day"

Wednesday afternoon the College Football world celebrates "Potential Day".  That is the day experts around the country analyze the potential greatness of college football teams based on the 18 year old kids they convinced to attend their school.   National signing day is Wednesday and according to at least one group of experts UC got the 59th best recruiting class in the country, and the 4th best in the Big East Conference.  This is according to Rivals.com.  On their web site they look at the 5,4,and 3 star recruits each team has signed.  Their numbers show that the Bearcats are bringing in no five star players, two four stars and eight three stars.  Last year Brian Kelly commented that a kids "star value" increased when he was looked at by a Big Ten school as opposed to when others were looking at him.  This would lead us to believe that this rating system of high school football players ranks up there with judging figure skating.  The question is not what a kid ranks when he signs as much as what he ranks when he leaves.  What were the rankings of the 6 Bearcats heading for the NFL combine?  Four years ago West Virginia QB Pat White was a 2 star player and the 52nd best QB in his class.  Bearcat Sports Page.com will have complete coverage of national signing day Wednesday afternoon.

ESPNU has scheduled at least 6 hours of coverage Wednesday for National Signing Day.

Here is a look at the Big East Conference rankings according to Rivals.com:

20. West Virginia

28. South Florida

38. Rutgers

43. Pittsburgh

59. UC

73. UCONN

74. Louisville

111. Syracuse

Big East Again #1

The Big East has had great representation in the top 25 poll all season, but Monday UCONN moved up to #1.  This gives the conference 6 in the top 20 and 4 in the top 10.  If the conference tournament started today UC would be the #9 seed.  They are currently alone in 9th place with a 4-5 record.  Monday night the #1 Huskies went into #5 Louisville and beat the Cards by 17, remember this team visited Fifth Third area a couple of weeks ago and escaped with a 9 point win.  

Up next for UC is a game against Notre Dame Wednesday evening at US Bank Arena downtown.  The Fighting Irish are currently trailing UC in the standings with a 3-6 record.

Big East Top 25:

1. UCONN

5. Louisville

6. Pittsburgh

8. Marquette

17. Villanova

20. Syracuse